Another one in the books: David Nelson wins the 125th edition of Marblehead Race Week

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2014 at 5:56 PMJul 30, 2014 at 5:57 PM

By Laurie Fullertonmarblehead.sports@wickedlocal.com

The 125th running of Marblehead Race Week wrapped up on Sunday with 158 boats competing, some for four days, others for three, with the same goal of bringing it down to the final race to determine a winner.This yearsí Race Week, officially known as the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta at Marblehead Race Week, drew competitors from as far away as Texas, as a result of the eventís reputation, not to mention the historic Marblehead yachting traditions.For the J/105 fleet, it turned out to be a down-to-the-last race finish that was eventually won by the Circeís Cup of Marblehead, skippered by Ric Dexter. They accumulated 19 points, beating out Fred deNapoli, who finished with 20 points.At one time during the regatta, one of the top boats hailing from Texas and owned by Mark Masur had a chance to take it home to the lone star state, but Marbleheadís sailing talent prevailed to take the top two spots, while the Texan finished third with 21 points."The J/105 fleet in Marblehead is really strong. We can race here three times a week if needed, and this helps keep the fleet intact. Itís just great to be racing here this week," Dexter said.For second place finisher Fred deNapoli, it was tough racing all the way through."They got us by one point," he said. "So, it was actually possible that five boats could have won it. We were covering one of those boats, the Texans, and while we were covering them Circeís Cup got out in front and [secured] the win."In the Laser Class, the win went to J.B. Braun of Marblehead, who most recently was part of the winning Americaís Cup team, Oracle of San Francisco."The Laser is kind of an energetic, physical boat, and we have all ages racing in it. It has competitors young and old, male and female, so it is a great fleet."Additionally, three key Laser sailors Wayne Colahan, Tom Dailey and Patrick Andreasen were recipients of the coveted†Leonard M. Fowle trophy for their contribution to the event and in building the Laser fleet.In the Rhodes 19 fleet, David Nelson bested the large field of 33 on the line to take home the win with 35 points, just ahead of second place finisher Charles Pendleton with 37.Although somewhat new to this fleet, Nelsonís performance was top notch, and he not only was the recipient of the Norm Cressy Award for excellence, but Nelson was also chosen as the overall winner of the NOOD Regatta, and will head to the British Virgin Islands in October to compete for the Sperry NOOD Championship.In the Town Class, the overall winner was Rex Antrim with eight points. He had an impressive four firsts, two seconds and one third overall.The Town Class had a total of 12 boats racing, as the fleet continues to grow in part because of a lot of effort by Marblehead resident Bart Snow, who is keeping a detailed account of all the Townie boats, while also encouraging the fleet to grow. There are a lot of new sailors coming to the Town Class fleet here in Marblehead, because of him."I have had my eye on the Town Class for many years, and the fleet is really going strong. There are a lot of women participating, as well as new skippers," said Kelly Braun, who skippered at Marblehead Race Week for the first time in her life.Added her crewmate Karen Lubec: " the Townies are a great class if you are new to racing. There are no egos. Everyone is friendly, and you get some great experience."In the IOD fleet, Bruce Dyson accounted for first place with 13 points. Tim Dittrich took second with 24.For third place finishers Ian and Rachel Morrison, getting on the podium was great particularly because this couple that had moved here from Scotland have been co-skippering the past couple of years."We are happy with our finish, and the fact that we have been co-skippering, and are still happily married is really great," joked Rachel.The Viper fleet had solid numbers, with the Moise Solomon and its skipper Dave Nickerson coming out on top after compiling 16 points just ahead of Thomas Loutrel, who finished second with 19 points.In the J/24 fleet, Jon Denman of Beverly accounted for the top spot with 10 points ahead of Chris Clancy, who finished with 12.In the Sonar fleet, Hall of Fame sailor Dave Curtis won his class with 12 points, while sailing with his daughter, Gretchen, and Katie Smith. A total of 10 boats are in the Sonar fleet."It was a really good race week, and so much better than dealing with average weather and winds," said Curtis. "We were also really pleased to have the Marblehead Yacht Racing Hall of Fame awards to give out. It has been 25 years since the last time we did this."In the J/70 fleet, Jud Smith came out on top with an impressive 15 points well ahead of second place finisher Stein Skaane, who had 27, and third place finisher Bill Lynn with 30.The Marblehead Yacht Racing Hall of Fame also honored Smith with induction in a ceremony that took place at the end of the regatta on Sunday night. Besides Smith, the Marblehead sailing community also chose Nicholas A. Burke, Robert E. Doyle, Bruce E. Dyson, Joan Thayer and Richard B. Wilson, as well as the late Francis P. Scully and the late David J. Smith for installation to the Hall."It has been great for the club to have Marblehead Race Week here at the Corinthian Yacht Club, where it all started 125 years ago," said CYC commodore Ken Adam. "And, it is a real privilege to have [staged] the induction of these great Marblehead sailors into the Marblehead Yacht Racing Hall of Fame."